Tanzanian maritime agencies and port personnel are better equipped to identify and manage risks to port infrastructure, operations, and people, following a national training workshop in Dar es Salaam (18-22 August) on Port Facility Security Assessments (PFSAs).

The training equipped participants with the technical skills to conduct comprehensive PFSAs, a crucial step in fulfilling obligations under IMO's International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Participants learnt how to identify security vulnerabilities in critical areas, including physical security, structural integrity, personnel protection systems, and procedural policies.

The workshop builds on earlier IMO-supported activities, including training delivered in October 2024 on the development and implementation of Port Facility Security Plans, and represents another milestone in the United Republic of Tanzania's ongoing commitment to the ISPS Code. It also aligns with Tanzania's wider maritime security agenda, which includes strengthening institutional frameworks, operationalizing the National Maritime Information Sharing Centre, and supporting the Djibouti Code of Conduct and its Jeddah Amendment (DCoC/JA).

During the opening address, Director of Transport, Stella Katondo, emphasized the maritime sector's importance to Tanzania's economy. She highlighted that robust security measures are essential to mitigate the wide range of threats facing the industry. This was echoed by Advocate Leticia Mutaki, Director of Maritime Safety, Security and Environment at the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC).

The ISPS Code forms the foundation of maritime security in the post-9/11 era and conducting thorough and standardized Port Facility Security Assessments is a critical step in meeting the obligations of the Contracting Government.

The IMO-led maritime security workshop brought together 30 participants from across key agencies, including the Ministry of Transport (MOT), Office of the President, Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC), Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), Zanzibar Maritime Authority (ZMA), Zanzibar Ports Corporation (ZPC), Zanzibar Multipurpose Terminal (ZMT), and Tanzania East Africa Gateway Terminal Limited (TEAGTL).

This training forms part of the European Union-funded project on Port Security and Safety of Navigation in Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean, which involves nine participating countries, including the United Republic of Tanzania. Through the project, the IMO is assisting States to build capacity, foster regional cooperation, and advance maritime safety and security in line with the 2050 Africa's Integrated Maritime Strategy.